Magic, Balut, and Happy Birthday
Las Pinas City
All right, what will I say...
I had Balut! (Editor’s note: Balut is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.)
It was fine, actually. First you open it, and then you drink the amniotic fluids, but you put salt and vinegar first, at least, I think that's what they said it was. Then you go ahead and eat it. It's really like eating one big yolk, but...not as dry. Slimier...:) It's especially fun when you eat the actual bird, but you don't realize it. How do I say...It was interesting, and far from disgusting, but it wasn't so amazing that I can't wait for the next opportunity to eat it.
What I do like eating is...Dunkin Donuts!
I found out that the munchkins, which are like donut holes, are pretty good and the ones I love are called Choco butternut. I have no Idea where the name came from, because it doesn't strike me as buttery or nutty, but it is really good.
My companion, Elder McQuarrie, has had stress added to his plate. He has become district leader of our district, so now he is training AND district leading... Definitely more stuff he's doing. But he handles it. He's good when it comes to stress...
I wanted to share with Mama Alma 38:5. I don't have time, however, to write it down, so she will have to find it herself. (Editor’s note: And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.)
As we were walking one day, coming back from buying ulam, which is just anything that goes with rice (i.e. adobo, menudo, bicol express, beefsteak, which are all some combination of meat and veggies in some sort of tasty sauce, and you put it with rice...), a man was riding a bicycle in the opposite direction to us. As he passed us, he looked directly at my companion, and sang loudly: "Happy birthday to you!"
Yeah. That was a chuckle to laugh moment.
We also were mobbed by children this week...
I had Balut! (Editor’s note: Balut is a developing duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.)
It was fine, actually. First you open it, and then you drink the amniotic fluids, but you put salt and vinegar first, at least, I think that's what they said it was. Then you go ahead and eat it. It's really like eating one big yolk, but...not as dry. Slimier...:) It's especially fun when you eat the actual bird, but you don't realize it. How do I say...It was interesting, and far from disgusting, but it wasn't so amazing that I can't wait for the next opportunity to eat it.
What I do like eating is...Dunkin Donuts!
I found out that the munchkins, which are like donut holes, are pretty good and the ones I love are called Choco butternut. I have no Idea where the name came from, because it doesn't strike me as buttery or nutty, but it is really good.
My companion, Elder McQuarrie, has had stress added to his plate. He has become district leader of our district, so now he is training AND district leading... Definitely more stuff he's doing. But he handles it. He's good when it comes to stress...
I wanted to share with Mama Alma 38:5. I don't have time, however, to write it down, so she will have to find it herself. (Editor’s note: And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.)
As we were walking one day, coming back from buying ulam, which is just anything that goes with rice (i.e. adobo, menudo, bicol express, beefsteak, which are all some combination of meat and veggies in some sort of tasty sauce, and you put it with rice...), a man was riding a bicycle in the opposite direction to us. As he passed us, he looked directly at my companion, and sang loudly: "Happy birthday to you!"
Yeah. That was a chuckle to laugh moment.
We also were mobbed by children this week...
Elder McQuarrie once did a magic trick for the children who play outside in the streets. He basically blew on his tie and caused it to crumple up, then blew again to restore it. Unfortunately...That's all they remember about us, so every time we come: "Magic! Magic!" These kids can follow us for ten minutes straight saying one word over and over again: Magic. We even tell them wala na, which means basically, there's no more, but no dice...
Well one night what did they do? A ton of them ran at us, a mob of like ten, just screaming and yelling and grabbed us and hung onto us and grabbed our ties and just held us. Somehow I was able to speed walk out of their grasp but I turned around and Elder McQuarrie looked like a jungle gym. That was interesting.
We are having a little trouble with investigators, because a lot of them are squatters, and for some reason right now is when the city decided to get active, so we have whole neighborhoods that we visited, found new investigators and then went back to and found they moved. Why? Because the city is going to demolish the entire neighborhood a few months from now and they are slowly relocating the people living there. But where are they all going? For some reason no one knows so...
Well one night what did they do? A ton of them ran at us, a mob of like ten, just screaming and yelling and grabbed us and hung onto us and grabbed our ties and just held us. Somehow I was able to speed walk out of their grasp but I turned around and Elder McQuarrie looked like a jungle gym. That was interesting.
We are having a little trouble with investigators, because a lot of them are squatters, and for some reason right now is when the city decided to get active, so we have whole neighborhoods that we visited, found new investigators and then went back to and found they moved. Why? Because the city is going to demolish the entire neighborhood a few months from now and they are slowly relocating the people living there. But where are they all going? For some reason no one knows so...
Sayang.
But that's not too much of a problem. Why? Because the Philippines is friendly. Literally, it takes 10 minutes to get a new investigator. Does that mean they are really investigating? No... mostly just like having a couple of white guys around. But it's still great that you can knock on a door and the first thing they say is: "Come in!" (In Tagalog of course.) No introduction, no who are we, just, come on in.
Sometimes it is disorienting. I swear we will walk through back alleys, and suddenly be in a completely different part of the city. There aren't any roads on the map, no houses where they really are, you just sort of teleport. Sometimes, you go through a hole in the wall, and suddenly, you aren't in a squatter village, or a cement zoo, but rather in a wide open field, where you see goats grazing, and a man literally farming with a hoe, as though technology had never been invented..
But that's not too much of a problem. Why? Because the Philippines is friendly. Literally, it takes 10 minutes to get a new investigator. Does that mean they are really investigating? No... mostly just like having a couple of white guys around. But it's still great that you can knock on a door and the first thing they say is: "Come in!" (In Tagalog of course.) No introduction, no who are we, just, come on in.
Sometimes it is disorienting. I swear we will walk through back alleys, and suddenly be in a completely different part of the city. There aren't any roads on the map, no houses where they really are, you just sort of teleport. Sometimes, you go through a hole in the wall, and suddenly, you aren't in a squatter village, or a cement zoo, but rather in a wide open field, where you see goats grazing, and a man literally farming with a hoe, as though technology had never been invented..
.
What else?
It's still sweaty
There are cockroaches, and they come in all sizes
We have a frog that shows up every once in a while to eat ants
Rain likes to come and go in a matter of seconds. Still though, squatter areas get turned completely into a river of sorts.
And traffic is ridiculous, so you feel like you almost get killed a ton...
By the way, I am happy you sent me a package, which it sounds like has Cola Cao. But I'm going to have to pay about 40 dollars just to get it. That'll come out of my card that Papa keeps checking up on.
This is because it got stopped at the airport.
The mission isn't entirely sure what stops a package, but they think two things should be avoided:
Don't send express
Don't send big packages...
Unless you send that big package by boat instead of air.
It's still sweaty
There are cockroaches, and they come in all sizes
We have a frog that shows up every once in a while to eat ants
Rain likes to come and go in a matter of seconds. Still though, squatter areas get turned completely into a river of sorts.
And traffic is ridiculous, so you feel like you almost get killed a ton...
By the way, I am happy you sent me a package, which it sounds like has Cola Cao. But I'm going to have to pay about 40 dollars just to get it. That'll come out of my card that Papa keeps checking up on.
This is because it got stopped at the airport.
The mission isn't entirely sure what stops a package, but they think two things should be avoided:
Don't send express
Don't send big packages...
Unless you send that big package by boat instead of air.
I am very happy to receive it, though I haven't gotten it yet, and will pay for it. However here is my suggestion:
Talk to the Filipinos in your ward and find out how they send and receive stuff from the Philippines. Probably one of them can point out the best method for doing so cheaply. If it takes four months, just make sure what is in it won't perish.
Also, I would love to hear Papa's advice on teaching Filipinos, as it may enhance my own teaching.
Finally, mention to them that I am in Las Pinas City (actually that n is an enye), and that I am in Pamplona Ward. Apparently, some of them might know where that is!
Also, it sounds like you, Mama, have been talking with Elder McQuarrie's mother, or at least she's been looking at what you post...But I found that out from my companion! Why didn't you tell me! That's pretty cool!
Finally, I would love for you to send me some of the Spanish songs I listened to, you know:
Talk to the Filipinos in your ward and find out how they send and receive stuff from the Philippines. Probably one of them can point out the best method for doing so cheaply. If it takes four months, just make sure what is in it won't perish.
Also, I would love to hear Papa's advice on teaching Filipinos, as it may enhance my own teaching.
Finally, mention to them that I am in Las Pinas City (actually that n is an enye), and that I am in Pamplona Ward. Apparently, some of them might know where that is!
Also, it sounds like you, Mama, have been talking with Elder McQuarrie's mother, or at least she's been looking at what you post...But I found that out from my companion! Why didn't you tell me! That's pretty cool!
Finally, I would love for you to send me some of the Spanish songs I listened to, you know:
Hola Don Pepito, Hola Don Jose
Mi Barba tiene tres pelos
And that one about chocolate and the mouse,
And any others. I would love to be able to sing them some. Especially to weird out my companion. :) hehehe...
Finally, a paste of my letter to the president, since nothing is really confidential in this one, and it could add to what I've written.
How am I doing:
Good.
Yeah, pretty much just that.
The days are going by at an appreciable pace.
Problems arise and are resolved.
Sometimes I think about home. Then I decide it would be better if I didn't.
I laugh. It's great for me to laugh. Elder McQuarrie made a caricature of me, and I was basically a smile with glasses. So I laughed at that too.
Miracles happen, little things all over the place. Maybe I'm kept safe, like that car that almost killed me, that motorcycle that nearly ran me over, that doorway that I almost didn't duck at, and that hole that, though I stepped in it, somehow didn't twist my ankle. And of course, spiritual ones.
The Philippines continues to be an enjoyable experience. When a random person sings happy birthday to your companion...Yeah, it's great to be here.
And it's great to be alive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm tired. All the time.
Walking, talking, 8 hours of sleep, but not really because you pray for half an hour...
Just kidding, I'm not that good. But maybe one day.
So yeah, it's cool
I'm just...
good.
Mi Barba tiene tres pelos
And that one about chocolate and the mouse,
And any others. I would love to be able to sing them some. Especially to weird out my companion. :) hehehe...
Finally, a paste of my letter to the president, since nothing is really confidential in this one, and it could add to what I've written.
How am I doing:
Good.
Yeah, pretty much just that.
The days are going by at an appreciable pace.
Problems arise and are resolved.
Sometimes I think about home. Then I decide it would be better if I didn't.
I laugh. It's great for me to laugh. Elder McQuarrie made a caricature of me, and I was basically a smile with glasses. So I laughed at that too.
Miracles happen, little things all over the place. Maybe I'm kept safe, like that car that almost killed me, that motorcycle that nearly ran me over, that doorway that I almost didn't duck at, and that hole that, though I stepped in it, somehow didn't twist my ankle. And of course, spiritual ones.
The Philippines continues to be an enjoyable experience. When a random person sings happy birthday to your companion...Yeah, it's great to be here.
And it's great to be alive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm tired. All the time.
Walking, talking, 8 hours of sleep, but not really because you pray for half an hour...
Just kidding, I'm not that good. But maybe one day.
So yeah, it's cool
I'm just...
good.
I studied D&C 121:34-46 (Editor’s note: 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.)
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.)
What did I realize?
That pride is a mighty enemy to the priesthood, and only leads to unhappiness when maintained by, or retained while in, the service of God.
That to command we must learn to obey, and to lead we must learn to follow, because the priesthood power is based on the laws of heaven, and obedience is that first law in heaven.
That the rights to leadership come not to one because of the priesthood, or position, or calling, but rather because of Christlike attributes, the greatest being love, or charity.
And finally, that the priesthood, being authority from God, works according to his will. It cannot be used contrary to his purpose, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. If you have the humility, to put aside your will, and through obedience, make his will your own, developing the love that is so ingrained in His work, then you need not fear; You can be certain that you wield the priesthood power, because your whole goal is His glory.
The priesthood will truly be ours to wield, the attributes of Christ will grow in our soul, and we will become leaders without calling, leaders without position, leaders by example of righteousness and truth. If people follow, it will not be out of compulsion. And even if they don't, what blessings we receive!
With love,
Elder (Kris-Tyan) Streeter
That pride is a mighty enemy to the priesthood, and only leads to unhappiness when maintained by, or retained while in, the service of God.
That to command we must learn to obey, and to lead we must learn to follow, because the priesthood power is based on the laws of heaven, and obedience is that first law in heaven.
That the rights to leadership come not to one because of the priesthood, or position, or calling, but rather because of Christlike attributes, the greatest being love, or charity.
And finally, that the priesthood, being authority from God, works according to his will. It cannot be used contrary to his purpose, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. If you have the humility, to put aside your will, and through obedience, make his will your own, developing the love that is so ingrained in His work, then you need not fear; You can be certain that you wield the priesthood power, because your whole goal is His glory.
The priesthood will truly be ours to wield, the attributes of Christ will grow in our soul, and we will become leaders without calling, leaders without position, leaders by example of righteousness and truth. If people follow, it will not be out of compulsion. And even if they don't, what blessings we receive!
With love,
Elder (Kris-Tyan) Streeter
Our son served in the Philippines many years ago. You were a small child then. We were on Iceland as the Missionary couple. It was a great experience for us. Any way I thought I would tell you that he and his companion had a pet chicken that they named Mr. Chicken. They would leave it on their balcony while they were away. They put it on a leash so it wouldn't get away. One day they came home from tracking and there was wonderful aroma coming from their apt. You guessed it their house boy had made chicken soup out of Mr Chicken. They were upset until the house boy told them that the chicken had fallen off of the balcony and hung its self. Lesson learned do not put a leash on you chicken. Our son and his companion became very good friends and were companions more than once. They worked hard and had a # of baptisms. Mission over the two companions were released and they went to two different states, They kept in touch for several years, both married in the Temple and started to go on with their lives. Our son graduated from university and started working for the Church. It wasn't long before he was asked to be a bodyguard to the then Prophet President Ezra Taft Bensen. When President Bensen passed away he became the body guard for president Howard W. Hunter and then President Gordon B Hinckley. Our son was with President Hinckley for the longest period of time. When President Hinckley passed away our son retired from the Church workplace and continued with his ward service and raised five children with his wonderful wife. He once told me that working for the church was the biggest blessing for his family. Both of his sons served missions and also one of his daughters served. The two younger girls are not old enough yet to serve. Contrast that with his best friend companion who left his wife and children to live with another woman. He has totally lost his way and also lost his blessings. He is not in contact with the church at all, does not see his children and has never paid child support. Our son still talks to him occationally but says he will not talk to him about the church. I have made this reply quite long and so I will say good luck, and please say hi to your parents from the Carlisles.
ReplyDeleteHello Carlisle family. Thank you for sharing that experience.It has been a long time! I hope you are all well.
DeleteWe have sent out your comment to Kris-Tyan. As we receive a reply, we will send it out to you.
Veronica
Here is Kris-Tyan's reply:
DeleteThanks for that. Filipinos know how to put leashes on chickens though, so that they don't strangle: put it on their leg. I see them everywhere. That sounds very much like the Philippines. I don't have a houseboy, nor do I have a pet chicken, but that's all right with me. The frogs, cockroaches and lizards provide enough company. I will say though, that they dye baby chicks here. it's the cutest thing to see a cage of little "pew-pew" sounds where each one of them is a different color of the rainbow. It's even cuter to see the kids holding them. It's sad to hear about your son's companion, but great to hear about your son. I hope I don't let this mission be as meaningless as some do. I hope it takes me to greater heights and changes me for the better. I hope I can follow a fraction of what it sounds like your son did.